SyracuseNativeAlumnusResident

Actually, Jarret Eaton, the main character in the song, is not the laughing stock of the Big East!
-He is a two time Big East Male Track Athlete of the Week
-He is currently on the Bowerman Award Watch List (the Heisman of track)
Oh yeah, I failed to mention, he is also the 2012 Indoor NCAA CHAMPION for the 60 meter hurdles!

But, there are many student athletes that walk the campus of Syracuse University. Not all of them may be champions in terms of athletic achievements, but the dedication they must have should not be overlooked. In the end, they are all young adults trying their best to achieve their goals, and who are we to cloud that with such negativity?...

I 100% agree that a trial is necessary. I just hope people undestand justice IS NOT a guilty verdict where one is not due, but it is the presentation of facts and a verdict based off of them as it applies to the law... I personally will believe justice has been served with an arrest and charge and giving Zimmerman the opportunity to then use Stand Your Ground as his defense to the charge in the court of law.

Honestly, this entire racism thing, which I too was caught up in after reading some disturbing comments, has masked the fact that the problem in this case was the lack of proper investigation into a possible homicide, be it justified by self defense or not. Which, self defense is just that, a defense, to be decided by a jury and judge as adequate once charged with a crime. Most people would agree, there was probable cause for an arrest, including the homicide detective that intially recommended charging Zimmerman. If we can't place faith in law enforcement and the justice system to carry out their duties properly, what can we count on?

As far as black on black crime, it is a serious problem. But it isn't one I just talk about, but I actively involve myself into combating it by mentoring the 'troubled' and 'at-risk' youth in Syracuse. It is very easy to place blame and criticize. It is a lot harder to take responsibility as a HUMAN BEING to making positive change. But in terms of this kids, who are at risk for commiting a crime, if they do, justice is often reached , just look at the prison populations. And for those where justice has not, will not, or is unfairly served, needs to be all of our concern, and shouldn't be limited to race, status, gender, or anyother possible 'ism' that exists.

Zimmerman was in his vehicle. He exited his vehicle with a loaded firearm and pursued the kid.. I don't know what you would call that, but I call it being an aggressor. Does it really matter who landed the first punch? Treyvon never could have harmed Zimmerman had he stayed in the confines of his vehicle. If Treyvon had approached Zimmerman, it would be a COMPLETELY different story.

As Chief Fowler stated, we all notice when something doesn't quite seem right. Even as an African American, I am able to 100% understand Zimmerman's profiling of Treyvon and him feeling as though he was 'suspicious' in his black hoodie, even though I don't think it's right... The bigger issue at hand is how we go from a 911 call of a suspicious person in which dispatch told him to stay in his vehicle and wait for authorities, to a kid being dead. It isn't as though Zimmerman mentioned seeing him commit a crime, he just found him suspicious. He should have NEVER confronted him. Unfortunately, Treyvon's attempt at defending himself after being followed by an unidentified man who was not in a police uniform, carrying a badge, or identifying himself as a police officer, has resulted in his death. There was COMPLETE negligence on the part of Zimmerman, and he has had no consequence for his actions. To me, that is the injustice.

Yes.. Zimmerman was instructed to stay in the car (listen to the 911 transaction). But I don't think you need to know all the facts to understand and appreciate the opinion of Chief Fowler.

Take black or white away from what happened, and you are still left with a 17 year old dead, with nothing more than a pack of Skittles and an Iced Tea. The point is, yes, we may see someone and think them suspicious, be that right or wrong, but we should not overstep the orders of 911 dispatch or officers. Because Zimmerman decided he would, a kid is dead. In my opinion, it doesn't really matter what transpired after Zimmerman left the car. He should have never become the aggressor and risked the lives of all parties involved (his, the kid, and those within the immediate area) when he stepped from his vehicle with a gun.

... there is one thing you don't know, or maybe forgot to mention, and that is the number of Refugees brought into the United States between 2001 and 2009... Just to educate you, there were over 50,000 per year on average. And if I'm not mistaken, G.W. Bush was president...

It's not a matter of who is in office. There is no reason why we should allow millions of people to die from famine and genocide. I'm sure no one would agree that we should have "let them fix it for themselves" when it came to the Nazi Regime.

I am sickened with how people, particularly Americans, don't want to help others or take interest in things unless it helps their pockets or threatens their well being. And the saddest thing is that those two children pictured, who have probably experienced more terror and heartache in their short lives than you ever will, could easily have been yours had you not been blessed with being born in America and not "in that hole of a country".

1. I am a 2010 Alumnus and I am far from a spoiled brat that had daddy and mommy pay for everything (so please stop with you prejudice as MOST students there do not have mommy and daddy paying for everything!)
2. Syracuse University has a ZERO tolerance policy for its students in terms of "insensitivity" (since people are reluctant to call it hate, discrimination, racism, sexism, etc...) of which faculty is not exempt
3. What is most sad is the need for "political correctness" in our society in order to deter or prevent the ignorant, judgmental, prejudice, and hateful sentiments of people’s heart from being spewed from their lips to intimidate, belittle or hurt someone.

... Get a clue! Rap is a form of lyrical delivery. It isn't confined to what you might refer to as 'Hip Hop'. But I'm sure if he was rapping about dealing drugs and killing people you'd have something smart to say about that too!